92 NIBBLING HOUSE-PLANTS. 
retreat to the street or back yard, whichever was 
the nearer ; and, as soon as he could do so without 
being observed, return to take another nibble of 
house-plants, or examine a little more closely 
the contents of some pan or pail in the kitchen. 
The hired man pronounced him a ‘‘perfect hen- 
hussy, n and the “ help ” in-doors approved of the 
appellation ; for, if the pantry door was open, he 
was sure to go in and either taste or smell of 
everything within his reach. He tried to go up- 
stairs one day, and, had not the steps been wind- 
ing, would probably have astonished passers in 
the street, by looking down upon them from the 
windows of “ my lady’s chamber.” 
Nor was his curiosity confined to the limits of 
his home. He would visit the principal streets 
of the village, and look into the business places, 
and grew to be quite familiar with a number of 
shop-keepers. His special favorites were grocers ; 
but I regret to say, he was not above entering a 
low saloon occasionally ! 
I think he must have been enticed into such 
places though, as a little incident will show that 
his tastes sometimes ran in quite an opposite 
direction : 
One Sunday morning he strolled around to the 
Congregational church. It was just Sunday- 
school time. That service was held in the ves- 
try ; its doors stood open, and he saw no impro- 
